26 Reply by Heartlander (edited by Heartlander 2016-02-29 04:50:52)

  • Heartlander
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  • From: Kent from Kansas City
  • Registered: 2013-06-23
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Re: What's the best <$5k FDM printer today?

RoboX unboxing and demo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9a04rtr3JN4

look at the internals

https://www.youtube/watch?v=7XTQ9HN1lBA

Review update

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSA7ZhWjvz8

And for those that want to get under the hood and tinker with the robox settings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51VsyV4i7OM

Robox printer, HICTOP (Prusa i3 variant) Model 3DP17 printer, ELEK 2.5W laser engraver, AutoDesk 123D Design, Windows 10

Heartlander's Website

27 Reply by Superdave

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Re: What's the best <$5k FDM printer today?

TheNeck wrote:
jagowilson wrote:
TheNeck wrote:

i want the makerbot replicator z18 because it has a pretty big build volume.

have you actually read reviews on it? you don't want it, from all the negatives I've heard. how much build volume do you need? that'll help with suggesting alternatives.

yeah i read the reviews of it, but i need to use one for myself.

i have the makerbot replicator mini, and it had horrible reviews, but i have one myself and it's a great little machine.

I have two of the Z18s in my lab and other than a few issues with the extruders which I fixed they rock.

If you build it they will come. Then they will make fun of it, tell you it's not worth doing and go home and try to copy you.
If a picture is worth a thousand words then being there is worth a thousand pictures.

(2) Stock Makerbot Z18s, Filastruder w/Melt Filter, Filawinder, Autodesk Inventor Design Suite 2014 .........so far.

28 Reply by heartless

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Re: What's the best <$5k FDM printer today?

pirvan wrote:
heartless wrote:

For some of us*, going to a Maker Fair is not really an option - 5 hour drive one way? nope, sorry, not happening - not in one day anyway (and planning a multi-day trip is a bit of a nightmare).

Too bad.  You're missing on a lot of fun.

At the last faire I met people from as far away as Australia, Taiwan, Hawaii, and as close as "Canada", and yes they had come for that weekend event.

If this is something you truly like, then a 5 hour drive is not a huge burden.  and with proper planning it could be a fun time.

Yeah, I am sure it is a good time, but we have animals that have to be cared for and because we live so far out, nobody wants to come out here so we would have to board them at a kennel - that costs money - and when there isn't a lot of that to spare.... hmm Then there would be hotel costs, and in big cities, those aren't cheap...
It is getting better now that I am working again, but things are still very tight here.

Heartlander - our 1st SD was a $400 used purchase and I wouldn't hesitate to put it up against the more expensive machines. Yes, I had to invest time and a few parts to get it to where it is today, but all totaled the cost is still under $750.
Speed - yeah, some are faster, but with the upgrades done I have been able to increase the speed a fair bit - altho faster is not always "better".
Dependable? #1 is my most dependable, and with very repeatable results - I get consistent quality every time, with pretty much any color filament I have (and I have a lot right now).
The time spent getting it calibrated and learning to use it, and the software, is time that would more than likely be spent on just about any printer on the market. You have to learn how to use it properly, regardless of the money spent.

You do whatever it is you want to do, it is your choice after all. All I am saying is "more expensive" does not always equate to "better".

SD4 #1 & #2 - Lawsy carriages, E3D v6, Rumba controller board, mirror bed plate, X motor fan, upgraded PSU & Mica bed heater
SD4 #3 - in the works ~ Folgertech FT-5, rev 1
Printit Industries Beta Tester - Horizon H1

29 Reply by Heartlander

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Re: What's the best <$5k FDM printer today?

All true, my friend.

Robox printer, HICTOP (Prusa i3 variant) Model 3DP17 printer, ELEK 2.5W laser engraver, AutoDesk 123D Design, Windows 10

Heartlander's Website